Millions of dollars could push Paige Bueckers to force Wings and WNBA into trade
Paige Bueckers might not find the small Dallas market enticing enough for her endorsement brands generating millions of dollars.
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Paige Bueckers could force Dallas Wings to trade her if the WNBA wants her to play next season
After the Dallas Wings won the WNBA Draft lottery, it was all but understood that they would select UConn star Paige Bueckers as the first overall pick. She is, without doubt, the best prospect in the upcoming draft class and the Wings would also get a player with a substantial fan base of her own.
However, the Wings are a completely different proposition. Dallas is a smaller market for a superstar of her standards, and coupled with the organizational problems they have had off late, might not give her confidence for her future.
Paige Bueckers shrugged off questions about the lottery, indicating either she did not appreciate the result, or she just wasn’t interested to know. If it was the former, The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant talked to her sources and wrote a report where she compiled what could happen.
Bueckers, however, is in a rare situation where she wields more leverage thanks to her marketability, NIL portfolio and college eligibility. If she decides against playing for the Wings — and the buzz around the league is that Dallas was not her preferred destination — she could exert whatever levers she can to get where she wants as soon as possible.
Sabreena Merchant on Paige Bueckers
This brings to light the fact that Paige Bueckers is in a unique position to wield her leverage. She could force the WNBA and the Dallas Wings to trade her to one of the teams of her choice. Else, she could just stay back at UConn and come back next season.
Los Angeles Sparks was perfect situation for Paige Bueckers
Ahead of the WNBA Draft lottery, most mock drafts had Paige Bueckers going 1st overall to the Los Angeles Sparks. As a ball dominant guard who can find teammates and can defend the perimeter better than most, her skills matched their need too.
In addition, the Sparks would have given her the access to Hollywood, which could help her build on her brand value. She has millions of followers and a growing portfolio that includes investment. No wonder Sparks players showed disappointment when they were announced as winning the 2nd overall pick.
If Bueckers does go to the Dallas Wings, the Sparks might not draft the best player available. The next best player is USC star Kiki Iriafen, who has played with Sparks star Cameron Brink at Stanford. With Rickea Jackson and All-Star Dearica Hamby starting, she will not fit well.
This means, a good player such as Iriafen will likely drop as teams look to meet needs. Paige Bueckers has the power to change that ahead of the Draft. There are millions of dollars at stake and the guard holds the key to how and where that money flows.
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Joseph Varghese
(2168 Articles Published)